Method and a device for treating microparticles

Abstract

Method for handling microparticles in such a manner, that at least two treatment steps are performed for microparticles in the same vessel without moving the particles to another vessel. There are organs in the device for changing the solution without having to move the microparticles to another vessel.

The invention claimed is:   
     
       1. A device for handling magnetic microparticles, comprising:
 (a) a vessel ( 26 ), wherein the vessel is a tube or a well; 
 (b) a magnetic tool ( 10 ), comprising a magnet ( 13 ), a protective shield ( 21 ) or coating, a ferromagnetic sleeve ( 12 ), wherein the magnet ( 13 ) and the ferromagnetic sleeve ( 12 ) are each movable in relation to each other and wherein the magnetic field of the magnet ( 13 ) is increased when the magnet ( 13 ) is partly or completely outside the ferromagnetic sleeve ( 12 ), and a plurality of magnetic microparticles ( 22 ) contained within the vessel ( 26 ); 
 wherein the magnetic microparticles ( 22 ) are selected from the group consisting of: ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, and superparamagnetic particles. 
 
     
     
       2. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective shield is an elastomer or non-elastomer shield ( 21 ) for binding the microparticles ( 22 ). 
     
     
       3. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective shield is an elastomeric membrane having bellows covering the magnetic tool. 
     
     
       4. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening of the vessel ( 26 ) is closed by the magnetic tool ( 10 ). 
     
     
       5. The device according to  claim 4 , wherein the protective shield is an elastomeric membrane. 
     
     
       6. The device according to  claim 1 , comprising a filter ( 77 ) at the bottom of the vessel ( 26 ). 
     
     
       7. The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the bottom of the vessel ( 26 ) further comprises a channel ( 85 ) for conducting solution ( 23 ) through the filter ( 77 ) out from the vessel. 
     
     
       8. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnet ( 13 ) has a magnetizing axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ferromagnetic sleeve ( 12 ) and the magnet ( 13 ). 
     
     
       9. The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the magnet ( 13 ) has a magnetizing axis that is transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ferromagnetic sleeve ( 12 ) and the magnet ( 13 ).